Clare ICSA Chair Says People In Clare Should Not Be Complacent About Rural Crime

The Chairperson of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association in Clare believes people in this county should not become complacent about rural crime. It comes as a new survey by An Garda Síochána reveals 63% of Clare people have "no fears" or "very few fears" about crime, while 60% say fear of crime has no impact on their quality of life. The Clare ICSA chair has questioned these findings and how they relate to criminality in rural Clare, citing a recent ICSA survey in which two thirds of farmers said they have experienced rural crime. Eddie Punch says theft of machinery and livestock as well as more violent incidents are becoming increasingly common on farms.